Motion muscle relaxer

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus is provided to support the user in a bent-leg position and thereby guide the user through a series of swiveling, pitching, and rolling motions to stretch and align the user&#39;s back and spine. In one embodiment, the exercise assembly includes a base member, a leg support member for supporting a user&#39;s legs, and a vertical support member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end connected to the leg support member and the second end movably connected to the base member. In one embodiment, the leg support member includes a generally W-shaped undulated profile having a peaked portion and two recessed portions extending outward from opposite sides of the peaked portion. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a ball joint connected to the second end of the vertical support, and swivelably, pitchedly, and rolledly connected to the base support member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to exercise and therapeutic equipment, and more particularly to an exercise assembly configured to stretch and align the user's back and spine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Individuals commonly suffer from lower back pain and stiffness caused by compression of the individual's spinal column due to overuse, poor posture, or an array of medical conditions. A variety of exercise devices has been developed to help relieve the pain and stiffness in the individual's back by either strengthening the muscles that support the individual's back or alternately elongating and compressing the spine to promote proper alignment and to relieve the pressure between adjacent vertebrae. Conventional back therapy devices use motors to assist the user in performing a series of motions to stretch and align the user's back and spine. Accordingly, such conventional therapeutic devices generally do not rely upon the user's own force to perform the stretches or exercises. Moreover, such conventional therapeutic devices typically only permit limited range of motion, given the configuration and limitations of the drive motor. Furthermore, some conventional therapeutic devices are configured to perform only a single motion, such as a motion designed to roll the user's hips along a circular path.

As such, there is a need for a device configured to support the user in a bent-leg position while the user performs a series of rolling, swiveling, and/or pitching motions to stretch and align the user's back and spine, respectively. Moreover, there is a need for a device configured to permit the user to perform full range of motion exercises and stretches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an exercise assembly configured to support the user's legs as the user performs a series of swiveling, pitching, and rolling motions to stretch and align the user's back and spine, respectively. In one embodiment of the present invention, the exercise assembly includes a base member having an upper surface and a lower surface, a leg support member for supporting a user's legs, and a vertical support member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end connected to the leg support member and the second end movably connected to the base member. In a further embodiment, the leg support member includes a generally W-shaped undulated profile having a peaked portion and two recessed portions extending outward from opposite sides of the peaked portion. In another embodiment, the vertical support member comprises a telescoping member having an outer diameter, and a receiving member having an inner diameter, wherein the outer diameter of the telescoping member is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the receiving member such that the telescoping member is configured to slide along the inside of the receiving member. In yet another embodiment, the exercise assembly includes an alignment hole in a lower end of the telescoping member, and a plurality of holes in the receiving member, wherein a height of the exercise assembly is set by selectively aligning the hole in the telescoping member with one of the plurality of holes in the receiving member.

In a more detailed embodiment, the exercise assembly includes a ball joint connected to a lower end of the receiving member, wherein the ball joint is swivelably, rolledly, and pitchedly connected to the base member about a swivel axis, a roll axis, and a pitch axis. In a further embodiment, the exercise assembly includes a socket configured to swivelably, rolledly, and pitchedly support the ball joint, and a tapered recess in the upper surface of the base member, wherein the tapered recess is configured to house at least a portion of the socket. In another embodiment, the exercise assembly further comprises a tapered protrusion extending upward from the upper surface of the base member, wherein the tapered protrusion is configured to receive at least a portion of the ball joint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a user using an embodiment of the exercise assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the exercise assembly;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the exercise assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sleeve securing the telescoping member to the vertical receiving member;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A taken along line B-B;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are views of an embodiment of the exercise assembly in the rolled, pitched, and swiveled positions, respectively;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the exercise assembly;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the exercise assembly shown in FIG. 6; and

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are views of an embodiment of the exercise assembly in the rolled, pitched, and swiveled positions, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates generally to exercise and therapeutic equipment, and more particularly to an exercise assembly configured to stretch and align a user's back and spine, respectively. As depicted in FIG. 1, an embodiment of the exercise assembly 100 of the present invention is configured to support at least a portion of the user's legs and thereby guide the user through a series of exercises and stretches as the user lies with his/her back on the floor. More specifically, the exercise assembly 100 is configured to movably support the user's legs and thereby permit the user to stretch and elongate his/her spine through a series of swiveling (arrow 115), pitching (arrow 116), and/or rolling (arrow 117) motions, as described in detail below.

In the following detailed description, like reference numerals will be used to refer to like or corresponding elements in the different figures of the drawings. Moreover, when a first element is described as being connected to a second element, the first element may be not only directly connected to the second element, but may also be indirectly connected to the second element via a third element. In an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the exercise assembly 100 includes a leg support assembly 101 connected to an upper end of a vertical support assembly 102, and a base assembly 103 movably connected to a lower end of the vertical support assembly 102.

As shown in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the leg support assembly 101 is comprised of an undulated support 104 configured to support the user's legs during a stretching and/or exercise routine. The undulated support 104 is comprised of a relatively thin sheet having an upper surface 105 and lower surface 106. The undulated support 104 includes a peaked portion 107 substantially centered on the vertical support assembly 102, and two recessed portions 108, 109 extending outward from opposite ends of the peaked portion 107. Together, the peaked portion 107 and the two recessed portions 108, 109 form a generally W-shaped undulated support 104. The recessed portions 108, 109 of the undulated support 104 include a smooth curved portion configured to conform to the contour of the user's legs during operation of the exercise assembly 100, as shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, ends 110, 111 of the undulated support 104 are configured to terminate near the outside of the user's legs to permit a full range of motion stretch by the user (i.e., the ends 110, 111 of the undulated support 104 are configured to extend slightly past the user's legs when the user's legs are supported by the recessed portions 108, 109 of the undulated support 104). Otherwise, the ends 110, 111 of the undulated support 104 may contact the ground when the user performs a rolling (arrow 117) exercise or stretch, which would thereby prevent the user from performing a full range of motion rolling exercise or stretch. However, it is envisioned that the ends 110, 111 of the undulated support 104 may extend substantially past the user's legs in order to restrict the user to a predefined range of motion. In another embodiment, the undulated support includes a cushioned material, such as foam.

With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ends 110, 111 of the undulated support 104 may include upwardly deflected flanges 112, 113. The upwardly deflected flanges 112, 113 are configured to prevent the user's legs from inadvertently disengaging the undulated support 104 during operation of the exercise assembly 100, especially during rolling (arrow 117) exercises or stretches. Moreover, the ends 110, 111 of the undulated support 104 are unsupported or cantilevered in the illustrated embodiment. Although the leg support assembly 101 has been described with reference to an undulated support 104 having a generally W-shaped profile, the support 104 may include other configurations and shapes and still fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, although the width of the undulated support 104 in the illustrated embodiment is substantially uniform along the length of the support 104, the width may vary along the length of the support 104. The undulated support 104 may be comprised of any suitably strong material, such as aluminum alloy, carbon fiber reinforced plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or steel. The undulated support 104 may be formed from any suitable process, such as machining, composite layering, stamping, pressing, extruding, or rapid prototyping using additive manufacturing.

With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the undulated support 104 includes an internally threaded blind bore 114 extending upward from the lower surface 106 of the undulated support 104. The internally threaded blind bore 114 is configured to receive a threaded post 118 to fixedly secure the upper end of the vertical support assembly 102 to the leg support assembly 101. The internally threaded bore 114 is centered along both the longitudinal and transverse directions of the undulated support 104 such that the undulated support 104 is substantially centered on the support rod assembly 102 (i.e., the internally threaded bore 114 in the undulated support 104 is centered under the peaked portion 107). Centering the undulated support 104 on the support rod assembly 102 advantageously balances the leg support assembly 101 on the vertical support assembly 102. Otherwise, an unbalanced leg support assembly 101 would tend to list in the unbalanced direction and thereby hamper the user from performing a uniform back stretch or exercise.

In an alternate embodiment, the undulated support 104 may include at least one through hole for receiving the externally threaded post 118 securing the leg support assembly 101 to the vertical support assembly 102. In this alternate embodiment, the externally threaded post 118 on the upper portion of the support rod assembly 102 sufficiently extends through the through hole in the undulated support 104 such that a washer and nut can engage the threaded post 118 and thereby fixedly secure the vertical support assembly 102 to the leg support assembly 101. In another embodiment, the upper portion of the vertical support assembly 102 may be secured to the leg support assembly 101 by a bracket. In a further embodiment, the vertical support assembly 102 may be fixedly secured to the leg support assembly 101 by blind rivets, such as cherry stem rivets, extending into a smooth blind bore formed in the lower surface of the undulated support 104. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the threaded post 118 may be secured in the internally threaded bore 114 by a thread-lock compound, which is configured to resist the threaded post 118 from unthreading from the internally threaded bore 114, especially when the user performs swiveling exercises (arrow 115) using the exercise assembly 100, which would tend to unscrew the threaded post 118 from the internally threaded bore 114 in the undulated support 104.

Still referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vertical support assembly 102 includes a telescoping member 119 slidably connected to a vertical receiving member 120, and a ball joint assembly 121 connected to the lower end of the vertical receiving member 120. Together, the telescoping member 119 and the vertical receiving member 120 are configured to adjust the overall height (122 in FIG. 2) of the exercise assembly 100 to accommodate the specific body type of the user. In general, a user with relatively longer legs should preferably select an exercise assembly 100 having a taller overall height 122. In one embodiment, the telescoping member 119 and the vertical receiving member 120 are configured to adjust the overall height 122 of the exercise assembly 100 between approximately 16 inches and 23 inches. It will be appreciated, however, that the exercise assembly 100 of the present invention described herein is not limited to the dimensions recited above, and the telescoping member 119 and the vertical receiving member 120 may be configured to achieve any desired height 122. Additionally, the exercise assembly 100 may be configured to have a fixed height.

With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the telescoping member 119 is comprised of a thin-walled tube having an inner and outer diameter. An upper end of the telescoping member 119 is configured to receive a lower end of the externally threaded post 118 for securing the telescoping member 119 to the undulated support 104. In one embodiment, the upper end of the telescoping member 119 includes internal threads 123 extending axially down along a portion of the telescoping member 119. The outer diameter of the externally threaded post 118 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the telescoping member 119 such that the upper end of the telescoping member 119 is configured to threadedly receive the threaded post 118. In an alternate embodiment, the exercise assembly 100 may include a smooth post configured to be press fit into a smooth bore in the upper end of the telescoping member 119, and a smooth bore in the lower surface of the undulated support 104 to thereby secure the telescoping member 119 to the undulated support 104. In another embodiment, the externally threaded post 118 may be integrally formed on the telescoping member 119 or the undulated support 104. The telescoping member 119 may be comprised of any suitably strong material, such as aluminum alloy, steel, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The telescoping member 119 may be formed from any suitable process, such lathe milling, extruding, or rapid prototyping using additive manufacturing.

With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the vertical receiving member 120 is comprised of a thin-walled tube having an inner and outer diameter. The inner diameter of the vertical receiving member 120 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the telescoping member 119 such that the telescoping member 119 is configured to slide along the length of the vertical receiving member 120. The vertical receiving member 120 may be comprised of any suitably strong material, such as aluminum alloy, steel, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The vertical receiving member 120 may be formed from any suitable process, such lathe milling, extruding, or rapid prototyping using additive manufacturing.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the exercise assembly 100 may include a thin-walled sleeve 124 configured to lock the telescoping member 119 into place to set the height 122 of the exercise assembly 100. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the thin-walled sleeve 124 overlaps a portion of the telescoping member 119 and the vertical receiving member 120. An interior portion of the sleeve 124 includes a smaller cylindrical opening 125 extending downward from an upper portion of the sleeve 124 and a larger cylindrical opening 126 extending upward from a lower portion of the sleeve 124. An annular step 127 is formed between the smaller and larger cylindrical openings 125, 126. The diameter of the larger cylindrical opening 126 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the vertical receiving member 120 such that the larger cylindrical opening 126 is configured to slide onto the outer surface of the vertical receiving member 120. Similarly, the diameter of the smaller cylindrical opening 125 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the telescoping member 119 such that the smaller cylindrical opening 125 is configured to slide onto the outer surface of the telescoping member 119. The annular step 127 formed between the smaller and larger cylindrical openings 125, 126 in the sleeve 124 abuts the upper edge of the vertical receiving member 120 and thereby prevents the sleeve 124 from sliding down the vertical receiving member 120. The upper portion of the vertical receiving member 120 may be secured to the sleeve 124 by any suitable means, such as with a press-fit connection, bonding, or welding, to prevent the sleeve 124 from disengaging the vertical receiving member 120, for instance, when the user is adjusting the height 122 of the exercise assembly 100.

With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the sleeve 124 may contain a narrow vertical slit 128 spanning the entire length of the sleeve 124. The slit 128 permits the sleeve 124 to circumferentially expand and contract about the telescoping member 119 and the vertical receiving member 120. In one embodiment, a pinch screw 129 spans across the vertical slit 128. Tightening the pinch screw 129 decreases the width of the slit 128 and thereby causes the sleeve 124 to circumferentially contract around the telescoping member 119 and the vertical receiving member 120. Contracting the sleeve 124 locks the telescoping member 119 into the desired position to achieve the desired height 122 of the exercise assembly 100. In contrast, loosening the pinch screw 129 increases the width of the slit 128 and thereby causes the sleeve 124 to circumferentially expand around the telescoping member 119 and the vertical adjustment member 120. Thus, loosening the pinch screw 129 permits the user to slide the telescoping member 119 along the vertical receiving member 120. In operation, the user first loosens the pinch screw 129, and then adjusts the height 122 of the exercise assembly 100 by sliding the telescoping member 119 up or down along the vertical receiving member 120 and into the desired position. The user then retightens the pinch screw 129 to lock the telescoping member 119 into the desired position to set the desired height 122 (FIG. 2) of the exercise assembly 100.

With reference again to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a lower end of the vertical receiving member 120 includes internal threads 130 extending axially up along a portion of the vertical receiving member 120. The internal threads 130 are configured to fixedly secure the ball joint assembly 121 to the lower end of the vertical receiving rod 120, as described in detail below.

With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the ball joint assembly 121 is comprised of a ball joint 131 and a knob screw 132. The ball joint assembly 121 is movably connected to the base assembly 103. The movable connection between the ball joint assembly 121 and the base support assembly 103 permits the leg support assembly 101 to swivel (arrow 115), pitch (arrow 116), and roll (arrow 117) during a user's exercise or stretching routine, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The ball joint 131 is comprised of a cylindrical shaft 133 and a bell-shaped transition portion 134 extending downward from a lower end of the cylindrical shaft 133.

The ball joint 131 is also comprised of a hemispherical protrusion 135 extending downward from the lower end of the bell-shaped transition 134. The bell-shaped transition portion 134 tapers between the relatively narrower cylindrical shaft 133 and the relatively wider hemispherical protrusion 135. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter of the hemispherical protrusion 135 is smaller than the width of the lower end of the bell-shaped transition portion 134. Accordingly, the lower end of the bell-shaped transition portion 134 forms an annular lip 136 with the hemispherical protrusion 135. The ball joint 131 also includes a threaded hole 137 extending axially along the length of the ball joint 131 for fastening the ball joint 131 to both the vertical receiving member 120 and the base assembly 103.

The threaded hole 137 extending through the ball joint 131 defines a swivel axis 138 about which the leg support assembly 101 is configured to swivel (arrow 115), as shown in FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the ball joint 131 is configured to axially rotate 360° about the swivel axis 138. It is envisioned, however, that the ball joint 131 may be configured to rotate any desired degree about the swivel axis 138. The hemispherical ball portion 135 also defines a pivot point 139 (FIG. 2). A pitch axis 140 about which the leg support assembly 101 is configured to pitch (arrow 116 in FIG. 2) is defined extending through the pivot point 139 in a direction parallel to the lengthwise direction of the base support assembly 103. A roll axis 141 about which the leg support assembly 101 is configured to roll (arrow 117 in FIG. 2) is defined extending through the pivot point 139 in a direction transverse to the lengthwise direction of the base support assembly 103. In general, the degree to which the leg support assembly 101 is configured to pitch (arrow 116 in FIG. 2) and roll (arrow 117 in FIG. 2) is a function of the configuration of the base support member 103, described in detail below.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the threaded hole 137 in the ball joint 131 is configured to receive a fastener 142 having upper and lower externally threaded portions 143, 144, respectively. The lower external threads 144 of the fastener 142 are configured to threadedly engage an upper portion of the threaded hole 137 in the ball joint 131. The upper external threads 143 are configured to engage the internal threads 130 in the lower end of the vertical receiving member 120 and thereby secure the ball joint assembly 131 to the lower end of the vertical support assembly 102. After the upper threaded portion 143 of the fastener 142 has been threaded into the internal threads 130 of the vertical receiving member 120, a nut 145 is configured to be threaded along the upper threads 143 of the fastener 142 until the nut 145 abuts a lower edge of the vertical receiving member 120. The nut 145 is configured to prevent the upper threads 143 of the fastener 142 from inadvertently disengaging the internal threads 130 of the vertical receiving member 120, especially during a twisting exercise (arrow 115 in FIGS. 1 and 2) which axial rotation tends to cause the threads to disengage. Specifically, the nut 145 is configured to increase the friction between the vertical receiving member 120 and the ball joint assembly 121 such that the vertical receiving member 120 and the ball joint assembly 121 rotate synchronously when the user swivels (arrow 115 in FIGS. 1 and 2) the undulated support 104.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, a coil spring 146 is provided to supply a biasing force which resists the nut 145 from inadvertently disengaging the lower end of the vertical receiving member 120. The coil spring 146 is configured to surround the fastener 142 and to be positioned between an upper edge of the ball joint 131 and the lower edge of the nut 145. In an alternate embodiment, the ball joint assembly 121 may include a self-locking washer and/or a self-locking nut, such as a kep nut, to prevent the ball joint assembly 121 from inadvertently disengaging the vertical receiving member 120.

Continuing to refer to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base assembly 103 is configured to movably support the vertical support assembly 102 and the leg support assembly 101. The base assembly 103 is also configured to prevent the exercise assembly 100 from tipping over when the user is engaged in various exercises and/or stretches using the exercise assembly 100. The base assembly 103 includes a base support member 147 formed from a relatively thin sheet having an upper and a lower surface 148, 149, respectively. The base support member 147 has a substantially rectangular planform forming two feet 150 at opposite ends of the base support member 147. In one embodiment, the length of the base support member 147 is substantially equal to the length of the undulated support 104. It is contemplated, however, that the length of the base support member 147 may be substantially dissimilar to the length of the undulated support 104 and still fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The lower surface 149 of the base support member 147 may include a plurality of cushioned pads connected to the feet 150. The pads are configured to elevate the base support member 147 off the floor and protect both the base support member 147 and the floor from damage due to operation of the exercise assembly 100. The base support member 147 may be comprised of any suitably strong material, such as aluminum alloy, carbon fiber reinforced plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or steel. The base support member 147 may be formed from any suitable process, such as machining, composite layering, stamping, pressing, extruding, or rapid prototyping using additive manufacturing.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the base support member 147 has an arcuate profile configured to form a gap 151 between a portion of the base support member 147 and the surface (e.g., floor) on which the exercise assembly 100 is supported. The gap 151 between the lower surface 149 of the base support member 147 and the surface is sufficient to permit the knob screw 132 to be housed under the base support member 147 and swivel (arrow 115), pitch (arrow 116), and roll (arrow 117) freely with the ball joint 131. Otherwise, the knob screw 132 would contact the surface and thereby interfere with proper operation of the exercise assembly 100. The arcuate profile of the base support member 147 is also configured to reduce the contact area between the base support member 147 and the floor, thereby tending to prevent the base support member 147 from inadvertently sliding along the floor during operation of the exercise assembly 100.

With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper surface 148 of the base support member 147 may include a thin-walled tapered projection 152 extending upward from the upper surface 148. The tapered projection 152 is substantially centered along both the longitudinal and transverse directions of the base support member 147. The tapered projection 152 contains an opening 153 configured to receive at least a portion of the hemispherical protrusion 135 formed on the ball joint 131 (i.e., a portion of the hemispherical protrusion 135 extends down into the opening 153 in the tapered projection 152). The base support member 147 also includes a through hole 154 substantially concentric with the opening 153 in the tapered projection 152. An upper edge 155 of the tapered projection 152 contacts an annular portion of the hemispherical protrusion 135 and thereby movably supports the ball joint 131. The hemispherical portion 135 is movably fastened to the base support member 147 by the knob screw 132, as described below. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the degree to which the ball joint 131 is configured to pitch (arrow 116) and roll (arrow 117) is a function of the configuration of the knob screw 132 and the tapered projection 152 of the base support member 147.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the knob screw 132 is configured to movably secure the ball joint 131 to the base support assembly 103. In one embodiment, the knob screw 132 and the ball joint 131 are disposed on opposite sides of the base support assembly 103. The knob screw 132 is configured to supply a clamping force connecting the ball joint 131 to the base support assembly 103. The knob screw 132 is comprised of a handle portion 156 and an externally threaded shaft portion 157 extending upward from the handle portion 156. The threaded shaft portion 157 of the knob screw 132 is configured to extend up into the through hole 154 in the base support member 147 and threadedly engage the internal threads 137 of the ball joint 131. Tightening the knob screw 132 increases the friction between the ball joint 131 and the support base assembly 103 and thereby increases the force required to pitch (arrow 116 in FIGS. 1 and 2), roll (arrow 117 in FIGS. 1 and 2), and swivel (arrow 115 in FIGS. 1 and 2) the undulated support 104. In one embodiment, the knob screw 132 is configured to be tightened such that the exercise assembly 100 does not pitch (arrow 116) or roll (arrow 117) under the force of its own weight.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the exercise assembly 100 is configured to swivel (arrow 115), roll (arrow 117), and pitch (arrow 116) to enable the user to perform a series of exercises and/or stretches to stretch and align the user's back. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the ball joint 131 is configured to roll (arrow 117) until the knob screw 132 contacts the lower surface 149 of the base support member 147, thereby preventing the ball joint 131 from rolling further. Similarly, the ball joint 131 is configured to pitch (arrow 116 in FIG. 5B) until the knob screw 132 contacts the lower surface 149 of the base support member 147, thereby preventing the ball joint 131 from pitching further. Moreover, the exercise assembly 100 is configured such that the user can perform two or more of the swiveling (arrow 115), rolling (arrow 117), and pitching (arrow 116) exercises or stretches simultaneously.

With reference now to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, an exercise assembly 200 comprises a leg support assembly 201 connected to an upper end of a vertical support assembly 202, and a base assembly 203 movably connected to a lower end of the vertical support assembly 202. The leg support assembly 201 is comprised of an undulated support 204 configured to support the user's legs during a stretching and/or exercise routine, and a brace 207 extending between opposite sides of the undulated support 204. The undulated support 204 is comprised of a relatively thin sheet having an upper surface 205 and lower surface 206. The brace 207 may be formed from any suitable shape, such as a U-shaped channel, a thin-walled tube, or a square bar. The brace 207 is configured to provide added structural rigidity such that the exercise assembly 200 can bear a greater load. Opposite ends 208, 209 (FIG. 7) of the brace 207 may be connected to the lower surface 206 of the undulated support 204 by any suitable means, such as fastening, bonding, adhering, or welding.

With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the vertical support assembly 202 includes a telescoping member 219 slidably connected to a vertical receiving member 220, and a ball and socket assembly 221 connected to the lower end of the vertical receiving member 220. Together, the telescoping member 219 and the vertical receiving member 220 are configured to adjust the overall height (222 in FIG. 6) of the exercise assembly 200 to accommodate the specific body type of the user.

The telescoping member 219 is comprised of a thin-walled tube having an inner and outer diameter. The telescoping member 219 is configured to extend through a hole 210 in the brace 207 having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the telescoping member 219. Moreover, an externally threaded post 218 (FIG. 7) is provided to fixedly secure the telescoping member 219 to the undulated support 204. The upper end of the telescoping member 219 includes an internally threaded bore 223 configured to threadedly receive a lower end of the externally threaded post 218, and the undulated support 204 includes an internally threaded blind bore 214 configured to receive an upper end of a threaded post 218.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a lower end of the telescoping member 219 includes an attachment hole 211 configured to selectively align with one of a plurality of holes 212 formed in the vertical receiving member 220. The attachment hole 211 extends in a direction transverse to the axial direction of the telescoping member 219 and extends between the outer and inner surface of the telescoping member 219. The telescoping member 219 is configured to slide along the inner surface of the vertical receiving member 220 into selective alignment with one of the through holes 212 along the vertical receiving rod 220, which allows the user to set the desired height 222 of the exercise assembly 200, as described below. In an alternate embodiment, however, the telescoping member 219 may be configured to slide along the outer surface of the vertical receiving member 220.

The vertical receiving member 220 is comprised of a thin-walled tube having an inner and outer diameter. The plurality of through holes 212 (e.g., between approximately 6 and 10) are spaced apart along the length of the vertical receiving member 220. The holes 212 extend between the outer surface and the inner surface of the receiving member 220, and extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vertical receiving member 220. In one embodiment, the holes 212 are substantially equidistant. However, the arrangement of the through holes 212 along the receiving member 220 may be non-uniform and still fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The distance between adjacent holes 212 may be between approximately 0.50 inches and 2 inches, preferably between about 0.75 inches and 1.25 inches, and more preferably about 1 inch. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention described herein is not limited to the spacing described above, and the distance between adjacent holes 212 may be varied to provide the user with more or less refined control of the overall height 222 of the exercise assembly 200. The holes 211, 212 in the telescoping member 219 and the vertical receiving member 220, respectively, are configured to receive a fastener 213, such as a pin or a knob set screw. Accordingly, the telescoping member 219 is selectively secured to the vertical receiving member 220 by a fastener 213 extending through the alignment hole 211 in the telescoping member 219 and the selected hole 212 in the vertical receiving member 220 to achieve the desired height 222 of the exercise assembly 200 necessary to accommodate the specific body type of the user. In one embodiment, the telescoping member 219 and the vertical receiving member 220 are configured to adjust the overall height 222 of the exercise assembly 200 between approximately 16 inches and 23 inches. It will be appreciated, however, that the exercise assembly 200 of the present invention described herein is not limited to the dimensions recited above, and the telescoping member 219 and the vertical receiving member 220 may be configured to achieve any desired height 222.

With continued reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the ball and socket assembly 221 is comprised of a ball joint 231, a socket 252, and a knob screw 232. Substantially as described above with reference to the exercise assembly 100, the ball joint 231 is comprised of a cylindrical shaft 233 and a bell-shaped transition portion 234 extending downward from a lower end of the cylindrical shaft 233. The ball joint 231 is also comprised of a hemispherical protrusion 235 extending downward from the lower end of the bell-shaped transition 234. The bell-shaped transition portion 234 tapers between the relatively narrower cylindrical shaft 233 and the relatively wider hemispherical protrusion 235. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter of the hemispherical protrusion 235 is smaller than the width of the lower end of the bell-shaped transition portion 234 such that the lower end of the bell-shaped transition portion 234 forms an annular lip 236 with the hemispherical protrusion 235. The ball joint 231 also includes a threaded hole 237 extending axially along the length of the ball joint 231 to fasten the ball joint 231 to both the vertical receiving member 220 and the base assembly 203.

The threaded hole 231 extending through the ball joint 231 defines a swivel axis 238 about which the leg support assembly 201 is configured to swivel (arrow 215 in FIG. 6). The hemispherical ball portion 235 also defines a pivot point 239 (FIG. 6). A pitch axis 240 about which the leg support assembly 201 is configured to pitch (arrow 216 in FIG. 6) is defined extending through the pivot point 239 in a direction parallel to the lengthwise direction of the base support assembly 203. A roll axis 241 about which the leg support assembly 201 is configured to roll (arrow 217 in FIG. 6) is defined extending through the pivot point 239 in a direction transverse to the lengthwise direction of the base support assembly 203.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, the threaded hole 237 in the ball joint 231 is configured to receive a fastener 242 having upper and lower externally threaded portions 243, 244, respectively. The lower threaded portion 244 of the fastener 242 is configured to threadedly engage an upper portion of the threaded hole 237 in the ball joint 231. The upper threaded portion 243 of the fastener 242 is configured to engage the internal threads 230 in the lower end of the vertical receiving member 220 and thereby secure the ball joint 231 to the lower end of the vertical support assembly 202. Moreover, a nut 245 is configured to be threaded along the upper threads 243 of the fastener 242 until the nut 245 abuts a lower edge of the vertical receiving member 220, which thereby tends to prevent the upper threads 243 of the fastener 242 from disengaging the internal threads 230 of the vertical receiving member 220. Furthermore, a coil spring 246 is provided to supply a biasing force which resists the nut 245 from inadvertently disengaging the lower end of the vertical receiving member 220. The coil spring 246 is configured to surround the fastener 242 and be positioned between an upper edge of the ball joint 231 and the lower edge of the nut 245.

With continued reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the socket 252 is configured to generally conform to the curvature of the hemispherical portion 235 of the ball joint 231 and thereby movably support the ball joint 231. The socket 252 is comprised of a thin-walled frustum having a larger upper opening 253 which tapers to a relatively smaller lower opening 254. The diameter of the larger upper opening 253 of the socket 252 is substantially equal to the diameter of the annular lip 236 formed on the ball joint 231, such that at least a portion of the hemispherical protrusion 235 of the ball joint 231 extends down into the larger upper opening 253 in the socket 252.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, the wall of the socket 252 forms an angle a with an axial centerline of the socket 252. The angle a may be between approximately 10° and 80°, preferably between about 45° and 70°, and more preferably about 60°. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention described herein is not limited to the angles a described above, and the wall of the socket 252 may form any suitable angle a with the axial centerline in order to achieve the desired characteristics of the exercise assembly 200. In one embodiment, the degree to which the ball joint 231 is configured to pitch (arrow 216 in FIG. 6) and roll (arrow 217 in FIG. 6) is a function of the configuration of the socket 252, including the angle a formed by the wall of the socket 252. For instance, in the embodiment in which the wall of the socket 252 forms a 60° angle a with the axial centerline of the socket 252, the exercise assembly 200 is configured to pitch (arrow 216 in FIG. 6) and roll (arrow 217 in FIG. 6) up to approximately 60° in either direction (i.e., a 120° sweep).

With continued reference to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, an annular gasket 255 is provided to protect the ball joint 231 against premature wear as the ball joint 231 swivels (arrow 215), pitches (arrow 216), and rolls (arrow 217) against the socket 255. The inner diameter of the annular gasket 255 is substantially equal to both the diameter of the annular lip 236 formed on the ball joint 231 and the diameter of the larger upper opening 253 of the socket 252. The annular gasket 255 is configured to slide onto the hemispherical portion 235 of the ball joint 231 and abut the annular lip 236 formed between the hemispherical portion 235 and the bell-shaped transition portion 234 of the ball joint 231. When the exercise assembly 200 is in use, the annular gasket 255 is configured to prevent the ball joint 231 from contacting a sharp upper edge of the thin-walled socket 252, which might otherwise cause premature wear of the ball joint 231. The annular gasket 255 may be made from any suitably resilient material, such as rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or aluminum alloy.

With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the base assembly 203 is configured to movably support the support rod assembly 202 and the leg support assembly 201. The base assembly 203 is also configured to prevent the exercise assembly 200 from tipping over when the user is engaged in various exercises and/or stretches using the exercise assembly 200. The base assembly 203 includes a base support member 247 formed from a relatively thin sheet having an upper and a lower surface 248, 249, respectively. The base support member 247 has an arcuate profile configured to form a gap 251 between a portion of the base support member 247 and the floor on which the exercise assembly 200 is supported. The gap 251 between the lower surface 249 of the base support member 247 and the floor is sufficient to permit the knob screw 232 to be housed under the base support member 247 and swivel (arrow 215), pitch (arrow 216), and roll (arrow 217) freely with the ball joint 231.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the upper surface 248 of the base support 247 includes a tapered recess 260 having a circular upper opening 261. The tapered recess 260 is configured to substantially match the shape of the socket 252. The socket 252 is configured to be housed in the tapered recess 260 formed in the upper surface 248 of the base support member 247. The socket 252 may be connected to the taped recess 260 by any suitable means, such as bonding, adhering, fastening, or welding. The base support member 247 also includes a through hole 262 substantially concentric with the tapered recess 260.

With continued reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the knob screw 232 is configured to movably secure the ball joint 231 to the base support assembly 203. The knob screw 232 and the ball joint 231 are disposed on opposite sides of the base support assembly 203 such that the knob screw 232 is configured to supply a clamping force connecting the ball joint 231 to the base support assembly 203. The knob screw 232 is comprised of a handle portion 256 and an externally threaded shaft portion 257 extending upward from the handle portion 256. The threaded shaft 257 of the knob screw 232 is configured to extend up through the through hole 262 in the base support member 247 and threadedly engage the internal threads 237 of the ball joint 231.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, the exercise assembly 200 is configured to swivel (arrow 215), pitch (arrow 216), and roll (arrow 217) to enable the user to perform a series of exercises and/or stretches to stretch and align the user's back. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the ball joint 231 is configured to roll (arrow 217) until the knob screw 232 contacts the lower surface 249 of the base support member 247, thereby preventing the ball joint 231 from rolling further.

Similarly, the ball joint 231 is configured to pitch (arrow 216 in FIG. 8B) until the knob screw 232 contacts the lower surface 249 of the base support member 247, thereby preventing the ball joint 231 from pitching further. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8C, the ball joint 231 is configured to swivel (arrow 215) 360°. Moreover, the exercise assembly 200 is configured such that the user can perform two or more of the swiveling (arrow 215), rolling (arrow 217), and pitching (arrow 216) exercises or stretches simultaneously.

In use, the user first selects the exercise assembly 100, 200 with the desired configuration. As described above, the configuration of the exercise assembly 100, 200 is determined by at least the shape and size of the undulated support (104 in FIGS. 2 and 3; 204 in FIGS. 6 and 7), the base support member (147 in FIGS. 2 and 3; 247 in FIGS. 6 and 7), the telescoping member (119 in FIGS. 2 and 3; 219 in FIGS. 6 and 7), and the vertical receiving member (120 in FIGS. 2 and 3; 220 in FIGS. 6 and 7). If necessary, the user then adjusts the height (122 in FIGS. 2 and 3; 222 in FIGS. 6 and 7) of the exercise assembly 100, 200 to accommodate the user's specific body type. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the user adjusts the height 122 by loosening the pinch screw 129 in the sleeve 124, sliding the telescoping member 119 into the desired position along the receiving member 120, and then retightening the pinch screw 129. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the user adjusts the height 222 by aligning the hole 211 in the telescoping member 119 with the appropriate hole 212 in the vertical receiving member 220 and then inserting the fastener 213 through the holes 211, 212. The user may also adjust the knob screw (132 in FIGS. 2 and 3; 232 in FIGS. 6 and 7) securing the ball joint (131 in FIGS. 2 and 3; 231 in FIGS. 6 and 7) to the support base member (147 in FIGS. 2 and 3; 247 in FIGS. 6 and 7) in order to increase or decrease the force necessary to swivel, pitch, and roll the undulated support (104 in FIGS. 2 and 3; 204 in FIGS. 6 and 7). The user may then perform a series of swiveling, pitching, and rolling stretches and exercises using the exercise assembly 100, 200 to align the user's spine and strengthen the user's back. In one embodiment, the stretches and exercises are to be performed using the exercise assembly 100, 200 while the user's back is on the floor and his/her legs are supported by the recessed portions of the undulated support (104 in FIGS. 2 and 3; 204 in FIGS. 6 and 7).

While this invention has been described in detail with particular references to exemplary embodiments thereof, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the exact forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of assembly and operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principles, spirit, and scope of this invention, as set forth in the following claims. Although relative terms such as “outer,” “inner,” “upper,” “lower,” “below,” “above,” “vertical, “horizontal” and similar terms have been used herein to describe a spatial relationship of one element to another, it is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the various elements and components of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Moreover, the figures contained in this application are not necessarily drawn to scale. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a base member having an upper surface and a lower surface; a leg support member for supporting a user's legs; and a vertical support member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end connected to the leg support member and the second end movably connected to the base member.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the leg support member includes a generally W-shaped undulated profile having a peaked portion and two recessed portions extending outward from opposite sides of the peaked portion.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vertical support comprises: a telescoping member; and a receiving member, wherein one of the telescoping member and the receiving member is configured to slide along the other.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein one of the telescoping member and the receiving member includes an alignment hole, and the other includes a plurality of holes, and wherein a height of the apparatus is set by selectively aligning the alignment hole with one of the plurality of holes.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a sleeve configured to overlap at least a portion of the telescoping member and the receiving member, wherein the sleeve includes a narrow vertical slit configured to circumferentially expand and contract around the telescoping member and the receiving member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the telescoping member and the receiving member are configured to adjust the height of the apparatus between approximately 16 inches and 23 inches.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ball joint connected to a lower end of the vertical support member, wherein the ball joint is swivelably connected to the base support member about a swivel axis extending between the first and second end of the vertical support member, the ball joint is pitchedly connected to the base support member about a pitch axis extending through a pivot point in a direction transverse to the lengthwise direction of the base member, and the ball joint is rolledly connected to the base support member about a roll axis extending through the pivot point in a direction parallel to the lengthwise direction of the base member.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a socket configured to swivelably, pitchedly, and rolledly support the ball joint; and a tapered recess in the upper surface of the base member, wherein the tapered recess is configured to house at least a portion of the socket.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a tapered protrusion extending upward from the upper surface of the base support member, the tapered protrusion configured to receive at least a portion of the ball joint.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a knob screw configured to movably fasten the ball joint to the base member.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is configured to roll approximately 120 degrees about the roll axis, and the apparatus is configured to pitch approximately 120 degrees about the pitch axis.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base member has an arcuate profile forming a gap between a first portion of the lower surface of the base member and a second portion of the lower surface of the base member.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of feet on the lower surface of the base member.
 14. An apparatus configured to stretch and exercise a user's back, the apparatus comprising: a leg support member including a generally W-shaped undulated profile having a peaked portion and two recessed portions extending outward from opposite sides of the peaked portion; a telescoping member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end secured to the leg support member, the second end having an alignment hole; a vertical receiving member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end configured to slidably receive the telescoping member, wherein a height of the apparatus is set by selectively aligning the alignment hole in the telescoping member with one of a plurality of holes in the vertical receiving member; a ball joint fixedly connected to the second end of the vertical receiving member; and a base member having an arcuate profile forming a gap between a first portion of a lower surface of the base member and a second portion of the lower surface of the base member, wherein the base member is configured to swivelably, pitchedly, and rolledly support the ball joint.
 15. A method of using an apparatus having a base member, a leg support member, and a vertical support assembly having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end connected to the leg support member and the second end movably connected to the base member, the method comprising: a user resting a portion of the user's back on a surface; the user placing a portion of the user's legs on a portion of the leg support member; and moving the apparatus between a first position and a second position.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the apparatus comprises swiveling the leg support member between the first position and the second position.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the apparatus comprises pitching the leg support member between the first position and the second position.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the apparatus comprises rolling the leg support member between the first position and the second position.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein moving the apparatus comprises adjusting the height of the leg support member between the first position and the second position. 